More people are turning to the classics – and we’re not talking about literature.

We’re talking four wheels and a chassis, covered in sleek metal that harks back to an earlier day when cars had a stronger sense of individuality beyond the cookie-cutter sedans of today.

For a small but growing breed of independent-minded car enthusiasts enamoured of classic cars, buying an original isn’t a practical choice. Hard-core purists may insist on lovingly restoring their hard-sourced acquisitions to their original glory but in Singapore, where the mantra “new is good” applies to all purchases, a car that is new but looks classic is one niche that several boutique car makers are looking to fill.

And Singaporeans are biting. At last count, 40 eye-popping Mitsuoka Galues have been snapped up since its distributor opened its order books here in February last year. Not bad for a model priced out of the mainstream Japanese saloon league – from $159,888 to $189,888.

Mitsuoka made its name as a coach builder in 1982 but began to dabble in “classic cars” when it rolled out its first lookalike of the Jaguar Mark II in 1993, which it called the Viewt. It has since made a name for itself by fashioning fanciful and retro-looking models (inspired by British cars of the ’50s and ’60s) based on mainly Nissan and Honda car platforms.

“Our buyers like the image which the Galue projects and the car stands out as it is not all that common in Singapore,” explains Jude De Cunha, sales operations manager of Advance Automobile.

“People like exclusivity, so that plays a big part in their decision to buy a Galue.’’

With an imposing front end that looks like a Bentley, the Galue certainly turns heads, allowing its owner to project his identity in a sea of conventional four-wheelers. Buyers include high-profile businessmen, diplomats, lawyers and artists, says De Cunha.

Advance Automobile offers four Mitsuoka models ranging from $88,800 to $388,800 and all of them have distinctive classicstyle front and rear ends. Mitsuoka essentially takes a normal car and completely reworks the nose and tail, leaving the cabin and doors intact.

The Galue chassis, for example, is taken from the rear-wheel-drive Nissan Fuga and comes with a choice of either a 2.5-litre or 3.5-litre V6 engine. That in itself is another reason for its popularity.

“Most of our buyers like its low maintenance cost – it has a Nissan engine after all, and it can be serviced at any workshop,”’ says De Cunha. But if you’re looking for something to transport you back to a gentler period, consider the Bufori La Joya. This 1930s roadster may have a vintage appearance but its makers guarantee that it is technologically advanced.

They also promise customers of this Malaysian-produced car an exclusive buying experience. “We either fly them to see the car in Malaysia or we will drive it to their doorstep,’’ says Victor Thio, director of Bufori Singapore.

The good thing too, is that you don’t have to worry too much about being caught at a traffic light beside an identical car. Each La Joya costs $448,000 including COE, and Thio adds that only a select group of people in “a segment of their own” would be his target market.

“We cater to the car enthusiast who is looking for timeless, classic design but with state-of-the-art engineering,” he says, adding that the car’s ultra-strong body, combining carbon and Kevlar, can be re-moulded virtually back to its original state if necessary.

Bufori was created in Sydney by three brothers who later moved their headquarters and production to Kuala Lumpur.

The La Joya is currently the only Bufori model available and it has a 2.7-litre V6 engine. One special feature of the car is the high degree of personalisation possible.

Each Bufori is described as a handcrafted luxury vehicle that is fully customisable. For example, the seats can be tailored to suit the driver’s height and body shape, and the paintwork matched to virtually any colour. “Buying a Bufori car is like buying an artwork, a gem stone, painting or carpet,” says Thio. “They generally appreciate in value over time.”

Being classic doesn’t always have to mean buying a big car, though. For those eyeing smaller and less expensive alternatives, there are two classic minis – the Fiat 500 and Daihatsu Copen. The former is inspired by the original Fiat 500 from half a century ago. While the new car has been reinvented for the 21st century,
it still sports a retro look.

The modern 500 is slightly bigger and boasts all the creature comforts and trendy details today’s customers expect, like a USB connection for an iPod or mobile phone and a multi-function steering wheel. It also satisfies stringent safety standards with its seven airbags and five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating.

At the same time, it’s fun to drive with light controls and a smooth ride. Prices start at $75,900 (with COE) for the 1.2-litre version and $85,900 for the 1.4-litre car.

The latter also features a panoramic glass roof called a skydome. Then there is the Daihatsu Copen. Call it a “classic cutie” if you must but this diminutive roadster is a modern sports car with a hint of retro styling. With its classic round headlamps, it may look like a beatnik convertible from the 1960s but it has all the technology and reliability of a modern Japanese car.

Under the hood is a 659cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine driving the front wheels. It produces just 64 hp, but then, it only seats two people, so it’s adequate.

That is not the Copen’s most striking feature, however. Instead, it is the twopiece electric hardtop. At the touch of a button, it folds neatly into the boot to transform the Copen into a fun yet economical lifestyle car.

At $59,000 and $62,000 respectively, that’s a lot of classic charm at a relatively low cost. And the best part? No restoration is required.

This article was first published in Luxe X'mas, a Business Times supplement on Dec 5, 2008.